SAN JOSE — Sharks forward Logan Couture was en route Thursday to Switzerland where he’ll play in Geneva while the NHL and its players association try to resolve their labor dispute.

Couture, 23, led the Sharks with 31 goals last season and had indicated earlier in the week he was close to signing a deal with Geneve-Servette of the National League A in Switzerland. There he could face Sharks captain Joe Thornton, who announced earlier in the week he would be playing for Davos, the team he skated on during the 2004-05 lockout.

Couture indicated his contract still needed approval from Hockey Canada, but he was in Montreal, boarding a flight to Europe as if he did not expect that to be a problem.

He said one other NHL player, defenseman Yanick Weber of the Montreal Canadiens, also is playing in Geneva. Weber is a Swiss native.

NHL owners locked players out Saturday when their existing collective bargaining agreement expired and no further negotiations have been scheduled. The league canceled all September pre-season games Wednesday.